Grizzlies’ Ja Morant takes over in fourth quarter, hits game-winner to beat T’wolves for 3-2 lead

MEMPHIS — The phone was ringing and Ja Morant answered the call.

Game 5 of the Memphis Grizzlies’ first-round playoff series Tuesday was tied when Morant drove to the basket and extended a left-handed layup over the Minnesota Timberwolves defense with one second remaining.

He then raised his hand to his ear, as if to mimic a phone call, as the Grizzlies defeated the Timberwolves 111-109 at FedExForum to take a 3-2 series lead. The Grizzlies can clinch the first playoff series victory since 2015 in Game 6 on Friday in Minneapolis.

Morant scored 18 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter and also had 13 rebounds and nine assists. Before the winning layup, Morant had been searching for a 3-pointer. He missed his first 3, then the ball found his hands when the Grizzlies needed it most.

Tyus Jones missed a 3-pointer and Brandon Clarke tipped the ball over Timberwolves defenders to Morant’s hands.

Morant calmly took a step back and nailed a 3-pointer with 8.1 seconds to play to give the Grizzlies their first lead since 50 seconds remained in the first quarter.

Morant made two free throws before Anthony Edwards tied the game on a 3-pointer, setting the stage for Morant’s final heroics.

“We called 12,” Jaren Jackson Jr. said. “He got it done. Everybody knows who got it done.”

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Here are three key observations from Game 5:

Rotation changes and Jackson’s foul trouble

The Grizzlies kept Xavier Tillman Sr. in the starting lineup for the second consecutive game, but they made rotation adjustments. John Konchar replaced a struggling De’Anthony Melton and played three first-half minutes. Jackson was foul in foul trouble again, but starting Tillman allowed Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins to turn to Clarke when he pulled Jackson.

Clarke had 12 first-half points while playing more than twice as many minutes as Jackson.

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Jackson led the Grizzlies with a…